How
It Works
by
Belinda Judson
Executive Director, Mid-States NATO
As someone who’s
been attending the NATO board meetings for years I always seem to
find that, in terms of substance and accomplishment, each is always
better than the last. After participating in the most recent one
in Washington, D.C., I am still amazed by how all entities come
together to make it work so well.
Who are these entities and what do they all contribute that makes
these get-togethers so successful?
NATO’s
Staff: We are so fortunate to have a very dedicated staff at
NATO. It’s tiny but somehow does an enormous amount of work
to prepare for these meetings and ensure that they will be productive
and informative for all. The amount of useful information we receive
is astounding. I find that I refer to my NATO board meeting materials
several times a day to help answer questions that come up regarding
issues that were covered either during committee meetings or the
board meeting. Without NATO, it wouldn’t work!
NATO’s
Consultants: NATO’s consultants work throughout the year
on a myriad of industry-related issues – everything from codes
and digital cinema to federal legislation and the Americans With
Disabilities Act. Our consultants attend the NATO committee meetings
to help inform and aid committee members as they pursue their committees’
assignments. Without NATO’s consultants, it wouldn’t work!
NATO’s
Volunteer Board: All I can say is “Wow”! While I always
realize how lucky we are to have NATO working on our behalf, I am
also thankful that NATO has its high caliber group of volunteers
who are there to help further the causes of exhibition. It is always
gratifying to look around that very large table and see exhibition,
represented by single-screen operators and executives of the world’s
largest chains, all sitting there as equals, giving of their time
and expertise on behalf of our industry. Without NATO’s volunteers,
it wouldn’t work!
NATO’s
Volunteers’ Companies: A big thank you goes to the companies
that “lend” NATO their staffers. This enables our volunteers
to give time that would normally be spent on company business. We
appreciate that the participating exhibitors understand the value
of the work being done at the board meetings. Without the companies’
support, it wouldn’t work!
NATO’s
State/Regional Units: It seems that the Regional Units Task
Force agenda regarding legislative and other pertinent issues taking
place in each state gets longer and longer each meeting. It is always
incredibly helpful for all of us to be made aware of proposed legislation
in each state and to compare notes on how things can best be handled
to protect exhibition’s interests. NATO’s state/regional
members, both paid and volunteer, generously share their experiences
in order to help fight the passage of any onerous legislation. Without
NATO’s state/regional units, it wouldn’t work!
Each piece would
not work by itself, but when it comes together, it is an incredibly
powerful voice for all of exhibition.
Thank you one
and all for everything you do on behalf of our industry, not only
at the NATO board meetings, but throughout the year. Without
You, it wouldn’t work!! 
